When does the first freeze usually reach the Chicago area?
Myth: the first freeze is a November problem.
Fact: the normal first day at or below 32 degrees at O'Hare is October 19, according to the National Weather Service office in Chicago. At Rockford it is October 13, and both dates come from 1991 to 2020 data. The earliest first freeze on record in Chicago was September 22, 1995. Last year it came late, on November 9, 2025. [1]
What it means for you: O'Hare is the nearer of those two stations to Will County. So the outdoor jobs below belong on the calendar in the first half of October. The 2025 first freeze, on November 9, came three weeks later than normal, and nobody knows in advance which kind of year this one is.
Can a garden hose stay connected over the winter?
Myth: turning the outdoor faucet off is enough.
Fact: the American Red Cross says to remove, drain and store outdoor hoses before cold weather. Then close the inside valves that supply the outdoor faucets, and open the outside faucets so the water drains. It says to keep the outside valve open, so any water left in the pipe can expand without breaking the pipe. [3]
What it means for you: find the inside shutoff for each outdoor faucet now, while it is warm enough to test it. If a faucet has no inside shutoff, that is a question for a plumber before the freeze, not after it.
How often should a furnace filter be changed?
Myth: the furnace filter is a once-a-year job.
Fact: ENERGY STAR says to inspect, clean or change the air filter once a month in a furnace, central air conditioner or heat pump. Its reason: a dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage the equipment, leading to early failure. [2]
What it means for you: look at the filter on the first of each month. Write the date on the frame when you put a new one in, so the next look takes ten seconds.
When should a furnace be serviced?
Myth: the furnace checkup can wait until the furnace acts up.
Fact: ENERGY STAR recommends a contractor checkup every year before the season starts. For the heating system it names the fall, because contractors get busy once winter comes. On a gas furnace, its checklist has the contractor check the gas connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger. [2]
What it means for you: book the appointment in October. Keep the dated service tag or invoice with the house records.
Can the heat be turned off when a house sits empty in winter?
Myth: an empty house does not need heat.
Fact: the American Red Cross says to leave the heat on when you go away during cold weather, set no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. [3]
What it means for you: this covers a winter trip, and it covers a house that sits vacant while it is for sale.
What does this mean if you plan to sell this winter or spring?
A buyer's home inspection looks at the heating system and the plumbing. A furnace with a clean filter and a dated service record, and outdoor faucets that still work in April, are two fewer things for a buyer to ask about. If the house will be empty while it is listed, the 55-degree rule applies to it too.
Planning to sell this winter or spring? Start with what your home is worth today, then talk through your timing and your house with Chris.
Complimentary Home ValuationSchedule Your Seller Consultation
